Sustainable Practices
Toronto offers heads-up on emission thresholds
Toronto could join the slate of North American jurisdictions that impose thresholds for allowable greenhouse gas emissions from buildings sometime later this year.
Lack of regulations and data hinder LCA progress
Selecting the lowest carbon-emitting products across a building’s material portfolio could reduce emissions by more than one-third, according to new global findings.
Creating longevity-ready communities
The global population of humans living to 100 and older is predicted to increase to nearly 3.7 million by 2050, but current institutions and policies are unprepared for this growing life expectancy.
Healthcare facilities launch nature-based programs
In healthcare facilities, where sterile aesthetics replace trees, plants and flowers, nature-based interventions can support the well-being of patients and staff who spend much of their time indoors.
Aquatic facility makes a splash in B.C.
The təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre in New Westminster, B.C., was named after the playful, curious nature of a sea otter, in turn, reflecting the kind of visitor experience the local community was hoping to create at the newly completed facility.
New water use initiatives afloat in summer 2024
New water use initiatives from the Canadian government and the Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE) have been unveiled for public input over the course of summer 2024.
Plastic chemicals face growing scrutiny
The United Nations Environment Assembly adopted a resolution on March 2, 2022, to end plastic pollution by 2040.
Civic spaces rise to net-zero heights in Edmonton
Fire stations have evolved into a much broader sense of community as cities seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net-zero targets partially through design.
A first Passive House retrofit in Halifax
Once complete, it will serve as an inspiration for others pursuing deep retrofits of existing buildings, an endeavour that offers the most hope for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Halifax.
CRE fosters all-in approach to decarbonization
Daunting net zero targets in the buildings sector are spurring an all-in approach to decarbonization that assigns roles to finance, engineering, management and operational teams.
New standards for sustainable material use
A new set of standards defines minimum sustainability criteria for high-volume materials used in architecture and interior projects.
Reconciling through design at Centennial College
A look at the recently completed $112-million expansion project at Centennial College built on Indigenous values.
Receptive climate for risk management brewing
New guidance for CRE investors and owners/managers highlights climate-related risks, recommended safeguard measures and key questions for gauging the preparedness of assets.
Range of CRE stakeholders demand ESG metrics
Canada’s leading commercial real estate players are increasingly turning to ESG metrics to track responsiveness to a range of emerging risks and business imperatives.
Archival preservation facility is a net-zero first
Library and Archives Canada’s new preservation storage facility opened as the first net-zero carbon archival centre in the Americas,
Refurbishing waste equipment in a circular era
Recycling tends to take all the glory and centre-stage of sustainability narratives in the media. Garbage, on the other hand, is a significant problem that is rarely discussed.
Canadian buildings scrutinized in OECD review
As part of a biennial review and benchmarking of Canada’s economic performance, a new OECD report looks at progress toward the interim 2030 target and 2050 goal for net-zero carbon emissions.